Muscular dystrophy in a patient with multiple sclerosis. Another "double-trouble"?

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2015 Jul;4(4):342-4. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2015.06.007. Epub 2015 Jun 17.

Abstract

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is considered a relatively common muscular dystrophy affecting approximately 1:15,000 individuals in the general population. Single case reports have described the rare co-occurrence of FSHD with other hereditary neuromuscular disorders, leading to atypical phenotypes. We report herein the case of a 26-year-old woman with genetically proven FSHD, who additionally developed otherwise typical multiple sclerosis (MS). Although there is no direct relationship between FSHD and MS, they might, nevertheless, share some common pathophysiological mechanisms, as recent research suggests. In particular, we comment on the potential, but not yet proven, role of immunological factors in the pathogenesis of FSHD.

Keywords: Dystrophy; Facioscapulohumeral; Multiple; Muscular; Sclerosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / pathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Multiple Sclerosis / complications*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / genetics
  • Multiple Sclerosis / pathology
  • Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology*
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral / complications*
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral / genetics
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral / pathology
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral / physiopathology*
  • Spinal Cord / pathology